Eccolo

If you haven't heard of Outstanding in the Field, we encourage you to learn more about this incredible organization, whose mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure-...-literally a restaurant without walls. For ten years they have set the long table on farm grounds, where the theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Green String Farm, co-founded by Bob Cannard, is a "beyond organic" farm in Petaluma, about a forty-five minute drive from Berkeley. Bob Cannard has been farming sustainably for thirty years. His father was a nurseryman and, though he was brought up to accept pesticides as a normal part of gardening, he has since repudiated the use of synthetic chemicals. He has long been an important member of the sustainable food movement in Northern California.

Chef Christopher Lee has been cooking with Bob's incredible produce, meat and eggs for over twenty years. The two first connected while Christopher was the chef at Chez Panisse Restaurant, and their relationship has continued to flourish over the past five years at Eccolo. Some of Chris's favorite things that Bob grows are spring garlic, baby artichokes, and cardoons.

The ingredients for this dinner will almost exclusively come from Green String Farm. Fred Cline, Green String's co-founder, will provide wines from Cline Cellars. Mike Zakowski, the award-winning Sonoma-based baker will be baking artisan breads for the dinner. We'll also be featuring Vella cheeses and making hand-cranked ice cream at the table for dessert!Read More